So you have your design concept. You know the gap you want to fill in the footwear market, and now you want to find a shoe manufacturer who can make your designs. Finding a shoe factory seems like it should be easy, but you feel as though you are coming up against a series of brick walls.
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Your messages to footwear factories are being ignored. When you find a shoe manufacturer who seems keen, they end up ghosting you. So how do you get them to take your shoe startup seriously?
I am going to tell you some truths which might be difficult to hear, but if you want to find the right shoe factory it is better to be armed with this knowledge. In fact, by the end of reading this article, you will be in a much better position to plan your shoe factory approaches.
Here are my shoe manufacturer finding tips:
For most shoe entrepreneurs, design is the exciting part, so you naturally want to skip straight to designing. Your next thought is I need to find a shoe manufacturer now. If you want to save money, time, heartache, and get shoe factories to take you seriously, you need to first assess the business opportunity. Sounds dull? It really doesnt have to be.
Make sure you have explored the following areas in-depth before even beginning the design process, and definitely before approaching a footwear manufacturer:
Still feeling a bit lost? My How to Start a Shoe Brand course guides you through the research you will need to complete to be clear on each of these elements.
Trying to get a shoe manufacturer to work with you is a bit like pitching to an investor. The shoe factory representative needs to believe in you, and your ability to develop a commercial shoe business. Some entrepreneurs are surprised when shoe makers dont jump at the chance to work on their exciting project. In reality, most shoe manufacturers have worked with some difficult shoe startups in the past, and feel cautious about repeating that experience.
Some shoe factories simply dont have the capacity or perhaps the inclination to work with entrepreneurs such as yourself.
A shoe factory or footwear sourcing agent is more compelled by the size of your market, than by the tiny details of your customers lifestyle. These are the elements they will be most interested in at first:
If the phrase projected volumes fills you with horror, dont worry, you are just making educated guesses. There is a startup-friendly template for this included in the How to Start a Shoe Brand course. You also get a range planning guide to help you decide how many styles and colours to start off with, and a cost price calculator for wholesale and direct to consumer pricing.
You need to know which country you want to manufacture in before starting your search. This will be based on your retail and cost price.
As a rough guide:
Of course there are many exceptions; there are luxury factories in China and mid-market factories in Cambodia etc.
LinkedIn is a good place to start. Find Sourcing is also a good option.
The How to Start a Shoe Brand course goes into much more detail on finding a shoe manufacturer including:
Happy sourcing!
Susannah
Launched in , Crocs are the marmite of the shoe world, whether you love or hate them, there is no denying they have officially made a comeback. Making it onto the catwalk,
Crocs
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is the global success story that capitalised on the ugly shoe trend and leveraged pop culture to make them as current as ever.
Here is our complete Crocs guide answering your most-asked questions, including what Crocs are made of, how they fit, how to style them and more.
are the foam fabric, slip-on shoe that has divided opinions for the last 20 years. Known for their playful, comfort-first fashion they are often described as 'the world's ugliest shoe. From avid fishers to city girls who love their bling, there is certainly not one specific target market when it comes to Crocs.
Crocs flat clogs are renowned for their unparalleled comfort and versatility. With their distinctive design, featuring ventilated holes and a lightweight build, these clogs provide a level walking surface, making them a popular choice for a range of activities from casual outings to professional settings.
These on-trend clogs effortlessly combine comfort with style. Featuring a chunky platform sole, they add a fashionable twist to the classic Crocs design while providing an extra boost in height. Available in various colours, Crocs platform clogs offer a versatile and comfortable option for those looking to make a stylish statement.
Crocs fur-lined clogs offer a cosy and stylish solution for colder weather. Featuring a plush fur lining for added insulation, they retain the classic Crocs comfort with lightweight Croslite material. Coming in various styles, they provide a practical and fashionable option for chilly days, ensuring your feet stay snug and comfortable.
Redefining casual comfort with their open-back design, Crocs mules are lightweight and cushioned shoes. Ideal for quick outings or relaxed days, these slip-on shoes effortlessly combine convenience and style with a variety of colours and patterns to choose from.
These sliders are a classic lightweight open-toe style shoe. Perfect for summer days on the beach or quick outings, they are a convenient and on-trend addition to your footwear collection for those relaxed and easygoing moments.
Crocs sandals redefine warm-weather comfort with their innovative design and signature Croslite material. These sandals offer all-day ease, making them perfect for beach outings, pool days, or casual strolls. With various styles available, Crocs sandals effortlessly combine comfort and style for a relaxed and fashionable choice during sunny days.
Yes, the name was in fact inspired by the crocodile, the reptilian animal that can roam on land and in water. If you have ever seen Crocs in the colour green, you could argue there are some resemblances in aesthetics as well.
are made of a patented foam called Croslite, which means they can be worn on land and in water. The foam material is actually exclusive to Crocs and is a closed-cell resin, not plastic or rubber. It is odour-resistant and non-toxic and is known not to leave marks even after an extended period of wearing. Croslite resists fungal and bacterial growth too as the material is anti-microbial nature.
The brand further innovated on Croslite in , creating LiteRide. The material is 25% lighter and 30% softer than Croslite and still provides shock absorption and support. Showing that there is actually more science behind the trusty Croc than you would assume.
Crocs are true to size; there is no need to size up or down when buying a pair. They are a wide fit, designed to give you maximum comfort so even if you have a wide foot there's no need to size up. The main two types of Crocs fits are Roomy Fit and Relaxed Fit. Although both of these fits are wide designs, the Roomy Fit is the wider of the two.
Crocs come in two sizes, one for men and one for women. The M stands for Men and the W stands for W. The sizes will look like M6W7 for example, which means that it is a Men's size 6 and a women's size 7.
If need some more guidance on sizing make sure you take a look at the Crocs size guides.
The fabric that Crocs are made out of does not absorb sweat so is relatively easy to clean. Start by rinsing your Crocs and then using a mild soap and warm water, use a sponge or small brush to remove the direct. Working in circular motions, your Crocs should clean up nicely.
There are certainly no rules when it comes to Crocs styling. Some opt for them on loungewear, laid-back kind of days but others love to jazz them up and wear them as a going-out shoe. So, here's some Croc guide style inspiration...
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